Police hope video will lead to robbery suspect

Investigators with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Olympic Division are seeking information about a female suspect who allegedly robbed an elderly victim on Jan. 5 in the lobby of a Koreatown apartment building.

A security camera video shows the suspect following the victim inside the apartment building lobby. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

The robbery occurred at approximately 11:25 a.m. as the 78-year-old female victim entered a building in the 400 block of South Berendo Street, south of Third Street and west of Vermont Avenue. Police said the suspect was waiting for someone to enter and likely targeted the victim because of her age. The victim held the door for the suspect, who attacked her after they both entered the lobby.

“We suspect she thought she was easy prey,” said Det. Daniel Chi. “[We sought help from the public] because of the age of the victim, the fact that it happened in broad daylight, and her distinctive look. We believe somebody knows her.”

The suspect is black, approximately 20 years old, 5 feet 5 inches tall and 125 pounds. She has red hair and was wearing a white sweater with stripes on the sleeves, ankle-high black pants and pink tennis shoes.

The victim was knocked to the ground and treated for minor injuries. The robbery was captured on security camera video.

The victim struggled with the suspect and sustained minor injuries. (photo courtesy of the LAPD)

Security camera video of the robbery can be viewed by visiting lapdonline.org. Anyone with information about the crime is urged to call detectives with the LAPD’s Olympic Division Robbery Unit at (213)382-9460. During weekends and off hours, call the LAPD’s hotline at (877)LAPD247.